Star of the Show

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles kicked off preseason play in style, winning big over the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-27, in a game that featured quite a bit of fireworks from the offense.

Third-year quarterback Tanner McKee led the surge, completing 20-of-25 pass attempts for 252 yards and two touchdowns, one to undrafted rookie Darius Cooper and another to second-year pro Ainias Smith. McKee, building off an impressive start to camp, played into the third quarter, completing passes to seven different receivers.

Cooper led all Eagles receivers with 82 yards on six receptions, while second-year RB Will Shipley rushed for 48 yards on seven carries.

Let’s get to the observations:

GETTY IMAGES: Tanner McKee led the Philadelphia Eagles to victory over the Bengals in the 2025 preseason opener.

* With veteran lone snapper Charley Hughlett mending a neck injury, rookie Christian Johnstone – signed less than a week ago – handled long snapping duties.

* Spent the first few plays keying in on third-year safety Sydney Brown, who plays the game with such urgency and intensity. One the opening drive, facing a 2nd-and-2, Bengals QB Joe Burrow completed a short pass to the left to WR Ja’Marr Chase, who appeared to have quite a bit of green grass ahead. Brown blew up a block from WR Andrei Iosivas, jarring the receiver enough to muddy up the play. Instead, Kelee Ringo and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. converged, limiting the damage to only six yards. Brown, by the way, ventured to the sideline later in the game following a running play after appearing to have his bell rung.

* Rough first series for CB Kelee Ringo, who surrendered a 23-yard completion to Chase on the opening drive. While covering one of the league’s premier pass catchers is no easy task, Ringo failed to locate the football, which has been a theme in camp. His struggles continued on the ensuing series, as he took a poor angle along the sideline and failed to wrap up Chase, who galloped 36 yards for a touchdown. The next two games are huge for the 23-year-old, who now must not only contend with veteran Adoree’ Jackson but also the newly acquired Jakorian Bennett.

* The Eagles, predictably, opted to rest their offensive starters, with third-year RG Tyler Steen being the only exception. Steen, who made merely a cameo, held up well, even landing a key block to spring Shipley for a 38-yard run on the opening drive. Steen, by the way, has taken all the first team reps at right guard in camp.

* QB Tanner McKee, as he’s shown through 10 practices, has such good command of the offense. He makes quick decisions and processes at a rapid pace, completing his passes with touch and pinpoint accuracy. McKee answered the Bengals’ opening drive by leading a 9-play, 75-yard scoring march that he capped by calling his own number for the 1-yard touchdown. He also delivered a 15-yard pass in the first quarter to WR Darius Cooper, with whom he’s developed a nice rapport with in camp. McKee has the tools to become a starter in this league.

* What a difference having a full offseason makes. Fourth-year WR Jahan Dotson noted this summer how much more comfortable he is within the framework of the offense, and it’s been reflected in his play. With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Terrace Marshall sideline at various points in camp, Dotson has seen a heavy volume of targets with the first team offense. and is most certainly playing faster and with increased confidence. That carried over into the preseason opener, with Dotson reeling in both targets on the opening drive for 27 yards. Naturally, given how late Dotson arrived last summer, it took a bit to find his footing. He’s now hit the ground running.

* In terms of the running back deployment, it was of no surprise to see Shipley in ahead of veteran A.J. Dillon. As stated previously, Shipley adds a different dimension to the backfield, as evidenced by Thursday’s sample size. While the numbers are skewed due to a 38-yard scamper, Shipley recorded 48 yards on seven carries and his lone reception totaled four yards. We still need to see what he can do in pass protection, but he just adds juice to the backfield. The second-year running back arms a high-octane offense with another weapon.

* Don’t look now, but second-year WR Johnny Wilson is coming on. When asked earlier this week where he feels he’s most improved heading into year two, Wilson said, “Definitely the details. I’ve just been so much more confident in my abilities, being detailed in my routes and the plays and try to know everyone’s job just in case I need to go inside-outside. Just knowing what to do and getting those reps over and over again.” After a relatively nondescript start to camp, Wilson has had positive moments in the last few, among those reeling in a catch in traffic with the offense backed up and a handful of others. Against the Bengals, Wilson played to his 6-foot-6 size, soaring over defensive backs – including a 27-yarder over CB Josh Newton – and pulling in contested catches. He caught all three of his targets for 73 yards.

* Sure, it has suddenly become a crowded house at cornerback, but third-year CB Eli Ricks refuses to become an afterthought. The rangy third-year pro has strung together a series of strong showings in camp, showcasing instincts, play recognition, and increased physicality. He was called for a defensive pass interference penalty that was declined, but also collected a nice second-quarter pass breakup along the sideline. But on a 2nd-and-10 from the Bengals’ 18, Ricks couldn’t corral a gift, as Bengals QB Jake Browning essentially hit him between the numbers. Plays later, Ricks seemed to be kicking himself for failing to make the play.

* Back to WR Darius Cooper, the undrafted wideout. The Tarleton State product continues to make plays, including pivoting to leave a defensive back in his wake on a short pass to the right for a gain of 16 and later bringing in a 20-yard touchdown on a fade ball from Tanner McKee to put the Eagles ahead, 24-14. There’s something to be said for a rookie free agent, guaranteed nothing, who persistently shows up. The moment, the opportunity, isn’t too big. As an aside, backup skill players playing deep into a preseason game reap the benefits when equipped with competent quarterback play.

* Stock up for second-year WR Ainias Smith, who not only hauled in a six-yard touchdown from McKee but also rolled up a nifty 46-yard punt return. It was widely presumed free-agent signing Avery Williams – who underwhelmed in his debut – would seize control of the vacant punt return role, but Smith might have something to say about that. On July 31, I asked Eagles’ special teams coordinator Michael Clay what he’d seen from Smith in the return game:

“I think Ainias has done a really good job of just improving his feet, his hands. He has put in the work. You could definitely tell in the off season wherever he was training at and OTAs to now him just being more confident, kind of just calm, cool, collected back there, which has been great. “We’re excited to see maybe a little live action as we move forward with him catching and see what he can do. He was a pretty explosive return at Texas A&M.”

* Bit of a curious decision to keep Tanner McKee in the game until 8:19 remaining in the third frame, but third-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson took over from there, completing 5-of-8 attempts for 56 yards. Rookie Kyle McCord entered the game with 11:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

* The Eagles opened the game with a safety pairing of Sydney Brown and Tristin McCollum, but I thought second-year S Andre’ Sam had an active night. Sam, 26, made plays defensively and on special teams. It’s a play that probably gets overlooked, but Sam – the last line of defense in kick coverage – did well to elude a block and bring down KR Gary Brightwell following a 35-yard return. Special teams will be key in establishing staying power on a loaded roster. He also brought some juice to the secondary. Keep an eye on No. 31 over the next couple weeks.

* Nice showing for OLB Patrick Johnson, who returned to the Eagles in free agency following a brief stay last season with the Giants. Johnson, who has enjoyed a far more productive camp than say, draft pick Antwuan Powell-Ryland, picked up a sack that was negated by an A.J. Woods illegal contact penalty, but followed it up by intercepting Browning and returning it 15 yards in the other direction. It’s worth reiterating that Johnson provides value on special teams and made the Eagles’ 53-man roster in all four seasons of his previous stint.

* Perhaps an overlooked ripple effect stemming from the loss of DT Thomas Booker IV is that Booker served as the backup nose. The team, however, might have an in-house solution in rookie free agent Joe Evans (6-2, 323), who entered the game early (worth noting he was also in the game in the fourth quarter), playing 0 technique in a five-man front. Evans, to my eye, hasn’t made any splash plays in practice, but that’s also not his wheelhouse. Perhaps the UTSA product has a skill set unique enough to stick around on the practice squad. He’s someone I’ll be keying in on Saturday at practice.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.